Retrospective

During my stay here in Rome I decided to really become familiar with three aspects of the Eternal City.

My first theme was Piazzas. I chose this because there are so many in Rome, and also many other places in Italy. The piazzas are a place for people to come together and social, eat, and find entertainment. In most Piazzas there are people who are performing musical instruments, painting, or selling merchandise. Hanging out in the Piazzas is something that I am definitely going to miss when I go back to the United States in a couple of days.

I also wanted to try all of the different kinds of pasta that are offered in the place where the food originated. I found out how Italians eat their meals including pasta in the first course following a meat dish. There are many products sold here that are also used everyday in the United States like the Barilla product. I have tried red, cream, and seafood sauces. In the apartment some of the girls and I have attempted to make dishes like Cannelloni. I have surely eaten my fair share of pasta since I have been in Italy. A lot of people have said that they are so sick of eating pasta that they don’t want to have it again for a while. I think that I may be the only person who is dying to have my mom’s homemade pasta sauce on Sunday for dinner with my entire family.

Last but not least I chose to learn about the different types of things people were selling on the side of the street and in tiny shops along hidden alleyways. I have come across a variety of different vendors. There are handcrafted paintings, jewelry, and shoes. I have seen people selling counterfeited purses to tourists and gathering them quickly from the ground when police come into sight. Depending on what town you are in the vendors will change according to their particular trademark, such as the Venetian festival masks in water-filled northern city. The vendors served as a great place to buy cheap t-shirts as souvenirs for friends back home.

A little bit of Pasta History

Most believe that it was the legendary Marco Polo who brought pasta to Italy from China, but the truth is that it has been around long before h ever left for the orient. It is most likely that during the 8th century as invasions into Arab lands occurred, pasta was returned to Sicily. There the word macaroni originated meaning, making dough forcefully, which is how it was originally created. Dry hard pasta as we know of today did not become popular until the 14th century when its ability to last a long time and its nutritional value made it more common for Italians. Furthermore, advancements to the production of pasta made it an easier task than just an all day work task. Pasta continued to grow and become more popular in the Mediterranean diet. But after the discovery of tomatoes in the Americas, pasta was paired with the sauce that is still used today.

Demetri, Justin. “History of Pasta.” Pasta History. Life in Italy. 6/25/08.<http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food/pasta-history.asp>

Bibbiena Tuscany

This is the villa where my parents stayed in Bibbiena, Tuscany. I was so excited to get away from the busy city and run around in a grassy field. There were two different covered patios to eat and hangout that were decorated with millions of tiny red flowers. Each of the bedrooms in the villa had themes with the colors red, pink, blue and green. The furniture consisted of dark antique wood to match the Tuscan atmosphere. The décor was exactly what I had always imagined an Italian villa would look like. Terra-cotta tiles covered every inch of the floor. The villa was split into two sections with the family owners living in the one side. The villa has been passed down through generations.

The square in Positano

There was a little square in Positano called Piazza Dei Mulini. The piazza was different than all of the other squares that I have seen in Italy. There were ceramic pottery shops and clothing boutiques lining both sides of the premises. The square had a hilly street coming off of it that appeared to be a tunnel because of all the purple flowers that were covering the distance between the walls of the alley.

Along the way there were tables set up against the wall filled with beaded jewelry and paintings for sale. The small road led you down to another piazza where there were artists painting scenic pictures in pastels or watercolors. There were lithographs available for a reasonable price, but I really wanted to buy an original copy even though they started at 100 euro a piece for the smallest size. The piazza overlooks a beach with vacationers laying under the sun or swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. There was another small street that stemmed in the opposite direction that led you to the Positano Bell Tower. Since it only takes ten minutes to walk the entire length of the town, the loud chime of the bells can be heard every morning from any location.

While we were in Positano there was a big annual festival that was going on. It was a celebration of San Vito, the protector of the small southern town. There were different performances throughout the day. There were young men dressed in skirts dancing with large red and white flags to entertain the guests at the piazza. At one point during the day there was also a band that marched through the town playing trumpets and clarinets.

If you were to walk up the steps to the right of the piazza there was a port that had ferries available to take tourists to the island of Capri and the Amalfi Coast. There were even private boats that offered excursion tours through the grottos of Capri. My parents and I walked around piazza all day browsing around the different shops and sitting by the dock watching the boats drive by filled with passengers. The town closes its hotels in the winter because not many tourists usually come to visit, but the stores and restaurants in the piazza normally stay open for local residents of towns close by.

A walk through the piazzas

Yesterday I went on a walk with my small group through the piazzas in the northern part of the city. We started by taking the metro to Piazza Della Repubblica where the group was assigned to meet. We walked up through the Pinico Gardens trying to walk on the side of the street that had the most shade because it was such a hot day.

While we were walking through the gardens we noticed a movie set but hadn’t stopped because we didn’t think anything of it. Suddenly a staff crew had stopped us on the side of the road indicating that they were about to shoot a scene from the upcoming movie Angels and Demons. The scene involved various cars and vespas speeding down the street. The first car had a camera tied onto the back of it to catch the action shot. Tom Hanks was supposedly at the shoot but he was nowhere in sight. After we got the signal that it was okay to pass we walked down the Spanish Steps to Bernini’s Fountain of the Barcaccia where the water was safe to use for hydration. The Spanish Steps are supposed to be decorated with beautiful flowers during the springtime but I haven’t seen them yet since I have been in Rome.

We continued walking straight through Piazza Barberini where there stood Bernini’s Fountain of Triton. From here I was nervous where exactly to lead the group because it was difficult to find the street signs in the smaller alleyways. When we arrived at Piazza Della Repubblica I was proud to say that the hand sketched map I had drawn and planned out directions through the piazzas were a success.

Activities in Positano

Something different that I also came across while I was in Positano was the activities available for everyone to partake in. Along the side of the beach was an area set up with a few carnival games. The games consisted of throwing a ball to knock over the bottle and another one with the same idea only this one you would use a gun to shoot over the object. The targets were a close distance from where you would stand to make your attempt at hitting the bottles. This made it easier to win a small prize. It wasn’t like at the carnivals or boardwalk games where they make it almost impossible to win. Almost everyone walked away with a souvenir. Most of the mementos offered were stuffed animals or little sand toys.

Painted ceramic pottery was also a huge deal in the small town. Many of the little shops contained hand decorated household items. There were mugs, plates, salt and pepper shakers, ash trays, and tea pots. Everything was priced at varying costs according to the size and detail of the piece. They were great gift ideas for my family and friends at home!

My visit to the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican museums took hours to get through and I didn’t even get to look at every piece of art. Some of the masterpieces that I passed while in the museum that I really enjoyed were the Laocoon, and the School of Athens. When I finally got to the Sistine Chapel there were crowds of people taking sitting along the sides of the room admiring all of frescoes that covered the walls. The Last Judgment consumed the entire back wall behind the altar. After seeing the elaborately detailed paintings it was no surprise to me that it took Michelangelo seven years to complete the project. The entire length of the wall was covered in souls of the dead floating up to face God. They were drawn with such detail in their facial features and muscular tones. Even though the painting didn’t reflect the faith of Michelangelo, it was ordered by Pope Paul III Farnese to warn all Catholics to remain faithful during the reformation.

When I looked up to the ceiling of the chapel I noticed the Creation of the Sun and Moon on the side of the painting closest to The Last Judgment. The whole picture was colored in black and white except for the sun and God’s sash clothing. Michelangelo did a great job of displaying the terrifying face of God as he is commanding the sun to light up the earth. I kept looking up at each individual painting and stopped for a couple minutes when I reached the Adam and Eve. In this picture God is reaching out his finger to Adam to pass on the spark of life. Another famous painting in the Chapel is The Original Sin. It was painted to demonstrate a woman whose legs turned into the snake of Satan after Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. There was so much to look at in the Sistine Chapel I could have been there for hours examining the detail of the famous paintings. I’m so happy that I didn’t leave Rome without getting to see the legendary site.

Campo de Fiori

Near the Piazza Navona is the busy piazza of Campo de’ Fiori. It has always been known as a busy commercial area that is lined with stores, restaurants, and vendors for passer-byers on their way to Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano and the Vatican. During its earliest years, the square was used for public executions. None more notable than Giordano Bruno who was immortalized into a statue in the piazza after he was burned by the Roman Inquisition after his ideas became dangerous. His statue by Ettore Ferrari describes Bruno as standing defiance against the Vatican. Another site in Campo de’ Fiori is the ancient fountain la Terrina or “the soup bowl” that is now used to keep flowers fresh. Inscribed on the fountain is “Fa del ben e lassa dire” which translates to “do well and let them talk,” an appropriate saying for the piazza. Currently, the square is filled with fresh foods, fruits, and flowers during the day. While at night Campo is where young people come out to meet and entertainment that is known as the nicest in the city.


“Campo De Fiori.” Campo de Fiori Guide. 2008. Rome Loft.com. 6/10/2008.


“Campo de’ Fiori.” Piazzas of Rome. April 27, 2008. Wikipedia Encyclopedia. 6/10/2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_di_Fiori

Hand Made Shoes in Positano

I purchased a pair of shoes during my stay in Positano that I watched the owner of the store hand make. I was able to choose the color strap that I wanted with whatever style I felt was the most comfortable. The tiny sandal shop had leather soles and various decorative straps covering every inch of the walls. There were plain straps of every different color of the rainbow. The ties that were decorated with jewels were more expensive and would accomplish a dressier look. People could either buy the sandals that were already made or chose a different design to be custom made. If you like a design but it wasn’t in your size the shoe man would make the same pair according to the length of your foot. The scent of the leather was so strong that you could smell it as you walked past the store. It would take an hour for them to be finished so while my parents and I were waiting we hiked down to the ocean to stick our toes in the cool water.

The Pasta Museum in Rome

As we all know Italians are known for their pasta, it is the land of pasta. That is why it is only fitting they have a museum devoted to the golden dish of the Roman Gods. Anyone who enters the pasta museum is instantly gratified as they explore the history and production of this world renowned commodity. Even though the vibrant informational displays are in Italian, those not accustomed to the language don’t get to miss out on the once in a lifetime opportunity as English speaking guides take visitors through the museum. Strolling through the museum, a visitor is encircled by pictures depicting the origin and history of pasta throughout the years. The museum also leads visitors through the process of how pasta is made, starting with its beginnings as wheat all the way until it reaches the end of its timeline to your dinner table. Inside, art work containing pasta is displayed throughout the walls, as well as a pasta theater for the true die hard fan of the Italian dish. The museum ensures the average pasta enthusiast is not left disappointed as they have been educated about pasta with exciting facts. For most, the pasta museum can be an exciting afternoon that tops any of the other museums in Rome.Unforntunately I haven't been able to see the museum because it is closed for the 2008 summer. Hopefully next time I come back to Rome I will be able to see the museum and learn more about the pasta industry.

Piazza Information

Piazza del Popolo is one of the most unified squares in Rome. Two of the same Neo-class buildings are located across from each other. An Egyptian obelisk stands in the center of the piazza. The piazza used to hold carnivals where public executions would occur.

Piazza di Spanga was originally used in the 16th century to help transport pilgrims as quickly from Rome’s Porta del Popolo. Today the piazza is filled with Renaissance and Baroque art in its surrounding churches and museums such as Villa Medici and Santa Maria del Popolo. The Spanish Steps are used my tourists and locals to sit and take pictures, read or hang out. Beirnini’s Fontona della Barcaccia is located beneath the steps.

Piazza della Repubbica was a redevelopment taken on when Rome became the capital of Italy after it was unified. Currently there are banks, cafés and agencies that replaced the shops that were once there. Mario Rutelli’s Fontona della Naiadi in located in the center of the square. The piazza is currently used for exhibitions, live performances, movies and lectures.

Piazza Directions

Beginning at Piazza del Popolo, find your way to V. le Gebrele d’Annunzio and walk through the Pincio Gardens. This street will soon turn into Viale d. Trinita. Follow this road straight until you reach a large palace called the Villa Medici. Turn right onto Piazza Trinita dei monti, the street located on the right side of the villa. This road will lead you straight to the Spanish Steps. After descending the stairs you will be standing in Piazza di Spanga. Make a left at the Fontona della Barcaccia and continue walking down Via due Macelli until you reach Largo del Tritrone. After making a right onto the street there will be a fountain in the center called the Fontona dei Tritrone in Piazza Barberini, Continue walking straight making sure to stay on Via Barberini. Turn right onto V. Versilla Salita da Tolerntino. Cross over Via XX Settembre and walk straight down Via Firenze. When you reach Via Nazionale turn left and walk straight into Piazza della Repubblica.

Sistine Chapel

One of the things that I have yet to see in the past five weeks that I have been in Rome is the large frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel. It is the main chapel of the Vatican that contains paintings by Perugino, Botticelli, Signorelli, and of course Michelangelo. The artwork which covers the sides of the walls was finished between 1534 and 1541.

Mostly everyone who travels to Rome comes to see The Last Judgment, completed by Michelangelo in 1541. The fresco that took seven years to complete presents souls of the dead rising to heaven to face the wrath of God. Pope Paul III Farnese commissioned the painting as a warning to those practicing the Catholic Religion to remain faithful during the times of the reformation.

Although most of the crowd’s attention is captured by The Last Judgment, there are other fresco cycles that begin at the end of the chapel near the altar. Each fresco contains scenes which correspond to the central masterpiece of Michelangelo’s. These wall frescoes include the Punishment of the Rebels and the Temptation of Christ by Botticelli. Also covering the sides of the Sistine Chapel is Perugino’s Handing over the Keys to St. Peter, and the Crossing of the Red Sea by Rosselli.

Eyewitness Guide, pg. 244

The National Gallery of Ancient Art

The National Gallery of Ancient Art in Rome, Italy contains legendary artwork in two different locations. The gallery is split into two sections including Palazzo Barberini and Palazzo Corsini.

Palazzo Barberini was built for the Barberini family in Rione Trevi between the years 1625 and1633. Most of the art that is showcased in the gallery dates back to the 13^th and 16^th centuries. The Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power was decorated by Cortona to worship the family and their success. The fresco containing the bees and suns, which were the symbols of the Barberini family, is a site that many tourists would find worth their time.

Palazzo Corsini is located in Trastevere next to the Villa Farnesia and houses later masterpieces of the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Most of the artwork found in the Corsini family gallery was given to the state. If you enjoy landscape, religious, and historical art this is probably a good place to visit. Both galleries include famous pieces from Bernini, Caravaggio, Tiziano and more.

Eyewitness Guide pg. 51

"Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica." Wikipedia. 19 may 2008. 16 Jun 2008 .

Reaction to Boys' Town

It seemed like the boys were very well-off living in the Boys' Town village. Once they live there for even a week they don’t want to leave. The community acted like one big family. The boys seemed genuinely happy and caring to each other. They acted like brothers, hugging and joking around with one another. Since most of the children have lost their parents due to war or poverty the Boys’ Town society is place where they are loved and cared about. The children enjoy the community so much that some even come back to the town church to get married or christen their children. The boys not only cared about each other, but they were extremely welcoming and excited to talk to the members of the CAS program.

They showed us the assembly room where meetings were held. The children met three times a following lunchtime to discuss their problems.The mayor of the community is elected after giving a speech about what they plan to do with the program. The mayor has the authority to decide what the consequences will be of a child that misbehaves or acts violently. Other leadership positions like monitoring the bank, sports, cleaning and restaurant service are also voted upon. The judicial system seems to work out well because this type of leadership has been going on for many years. I think it also really gives the children a chance to learn about responsibility, and decision making.

The classrooms were filled with computer programming arts and ceramics. They had large learning facilites and upto date technology. I was so impressed by their skills in both of these fields. In the downstairs Each of the pieces in the art studios looked like they had been done by professional artists. I wish that I could have bought one of the little ceramic people that a child had made to take home with me to put in my bedroom. The spacious and comfortable rooms were very tidy because the boys were expected to keep their areas clean as part of living in the community. Even though there are three people to a room, the living situation is a thousand times better than living on the streets.

The Boys’ Town field trip was definitely worth not having the Friday off. I’m so glad that I got to see the children and the way they live. Even though they may not have their parents or have come from traumatizing experiences, they have built a strong relationship with each other that they will have for the rest of their lives.

Kiosks in Venice

While I was in Venice I noticed how different the little vendors were than the ones that you would normally see in Rome. In the town, which is mostly consumed by water, had kiosks all over San Marco Square that had little objects that tourists would commonly purchase.

Some of the merchandise consisted of t-shirts that said Venice on them. Although it makes sense for it to say Venezia because it was the city that they were being sold in, it kind of made me do a double take since I am so used to seeing Roma printed on everything. Also, one of the city’s trademarks is the Venetian masks. The masks came in all different colors and designs. Some were porcelain and others were made out of a thick wood. The most expensive ones had the glitteriest detail and many feathers. I remember when I was little getting a knock-off Venetian mask when I was went to Epcot in Disney world.

Jewelry was another popular item that vendors using sold a lot of. The earring, bracelets and necklaces of all different colors were bought by tourists because Venice is known for its beautiful green, blue, purple, orange, and red glass. When I went to Murano to see the glass factory our tour guide informed us that in order to make such smooth and colorful glass the oven had to be set a 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. I made sure to buy my fair share of glass jewelry during my stay in Venice.

San Marco's Square in Venice

The first thing that we did after getting to the famous Saint Marc’s square in Venice was get something to eat. We walked down the tiny alleyways filled with designer shops. The road that couldn’t have been more than ten feet wide consisted of high-end stores like Versace, Gucci, Georgio Armani and Prada. Knowing that there was no way I could spend a lot of money, I passed the stores just staring in the windows at the fashionable clothes.

After lunch we purchased admission passes to the bell tower in San Marco square. When the doors from the elevator opened I walked to the edge of the confined area to get a good look at the view below. I stuck my camera through the square holes that have been formed by the cage of barbed wire that covered the window to insure that no one would tumble out of the tower. The whole city of Venice could be seen from the high rise. In the distance were the small the islands of Murano and Burano. The terra-cotta rooftop shingles looked as if they could go on for miles. Just as we were about to return to the bottom of the tower the gigantic bells began to swing back and forth piercing my ears with their loud chiming sounds.

The never ending Doge museum in the square was filled with large rooms for used for political debate and chambers fro prisoners. I walked up the Golden Staircase which had been elaborately decorated by Alessandro Vittorio. The Staircase led to the rooms of Doge’s apartment and others for governmental speeches. I found it sort of strange that at one time there were prisoners staying in the same building as the leader of the city. The chambers were empty concrete rooms with heavy wooden doors that would impossible to escape from. I finally saw the daylight again after spending nearly three hours in the museum.

My parents and I walked around the corner to San Marco’s Basilica. Inside the church were five large domes and chairs that replaced the usual pews. The inside of the church was definitely not as impressive compared to the beautiful frescoes on the domes of the outside.

Entertainers performing on the streets

Over the course of my time in Rome I have seen many different ways that people are making money off of tourists and local residents. One of the most popular things is acting as a statue or miming. It is so crazy how men stand in the same position for hours in the heat just to make some extra change.

There is one man that stands in Piazza Navona almost every day in a stance that looks like he is being blown over by the wind. His orange tie was meant to look like it was floating in the air. I guess he accomplishes this look by sticking a wire in the fabric. His long high lighted hair is gelled back to add to the effect.

Another really popular entertainer that performs in piazza Navona is the electrical guitarist. Almost everyone that attends the square on a regular basis recognizes this awesome musician. He must really enjoy doing it because his is there for hours and just sweating under the sun. He collects tons of euro a day in tips because the music that he plays is so gratifying. I could probably sit there and listen to him for as long as he would play that is how ridiculously great at guitar he is.

There are also entertainers who play instruments like the violin, the accordion and I even saw someone playing the recorded, which I learned how to play in second grade. Many of these people aren’t homeless or poor, they are just doing what they love and making a little extra cash while they are enjoying themselves.

Awaiting the trip to Boys' Town

Boys’ Town is a fraternal community where young children are given the chance to learn how to live together. They are taught to live in peace and feel the love of others who have come from similar backgrounds. The ultimate goal of the district according to the founder, John Patrick-Abbing, is to encourage the boys to find their true place in society as responsible, god-fearing citizens.

I have never actually seen an orphanage so I think it is going to be a complete shock for me. I am interested in seeing the way that they live and what their daily routines are. I am very curious to see their living situation including what their rooms look like and how many boys share one room, how they cook a meal for dinner, and what kind of things they do for fun. It will be exciting to learn the way things are run and if there is a leader who manages the community.

The theatre at Ostia Antica

One of the places that I enjoyed the most during our journey through the ancient ruins of Ostia Antica was the Roman Theatre. The semi-circular stadium was erected in 12 B.C by Decumanus Maximus. 3000 people pack into the theater to watch performances such as ballets, concerts and classical dramas. Acts are still held there at night and tickets are available at the entrance of the open-air museum.

The brick theater has been restored multiple times and the excavation was completed in the early 20^th century. After Commodus was killed the building was inaugurated by Septimius Severus. Preserved stuccos are shown on the ceilings of the entrance corridor. The most well-known people were seated closet to the stage.

The theatre was open to the public and provided daily performances. While I was sitting on the brick steps of the stadium ballet dancers rehersed their routines below and were probably sceduled to perform in a recital later that night.

Piazza della Rotunda

The first sound I heard as I entered Piazza Della Rotunda today was of metal magnet clinging together as men threw them in the air. In front of the Pantheon stood men who were dressed in red, and gold gladiator costumes hold swords. There were horse and buggies lined up along the front side of the historic landmark. People kept going up to the fountain to take scenic pictures. Some would nap under the marble edges of the fountain where there was about 3 feet of shade to keep them cool from the blistering hot day. There were African men standing at all sides of the fountain. Each one of the salesmen had at least 10 fake purses placed on the dirty, black street of the piazza. Their merchandise consisted of black, white and brown Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Prada bags in all different shapes and sizes. When they thought that they had seen a police man they quickly gathered the purses from the ground and scattered. The little cafes surrounding the piazza smelled of delicious and expensive food. There were younger men handed out flyers to promote local clubs and bars. No matter what time of the day the square was crowded with tourists and locals hanging out and socializing.

Piazza della Signora

As anyone from Florence can tell you, the political hub of the city is the Piazza della Signoria as well as the central meeting place for all who enter Florence. The piazza is located directly in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, a gothic fortress like town hall that is one of the most impressive in Tuscany. I was lucky enough to see this square on Sunday night and see everything that the square has to offer before our dinner reservations.

The piazza stood as a gathering place as important officials made grand speeches on the steps of the Palazzo. Surrounding the Piazza are the Loggia della Signoria, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palace of the Tribunale della Mercanzia, the Uguccioni Palace, and the Assicurazioni Generali.

The Loggia della Signoria is a building with wide-open arches that was primarily used for housing assemblies of people and hold public ceremonies. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous and oldest art museums in the world housing such famous works as the Birth of Venus by Botticelli.

The Piazza contains some very remarkable statues. There is a copy of the Statue of David by Michelangelo, the Fountain of Neptune, and Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli. These notable statues make the Piazza della Signoria a site to visit for any traveler of the capital of Tuscany and I made sure to snap a couple of pictures of them on my way out of the piazza.

“Piazza della Signoria.” Buildings and Structures in Florence. June 2008. Wikipedia Encylcopedia. 6/10/08. <>

Pasta Nutrition

Ever since the rise of celebrity endorsed low carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, pasta has been getting a bad name. Whole grain foods such as pasta, is a recommended by the Food pyramid to be consumed 6-11 times daily. Pasta is a good source of energy, the carbohydrate can give an individual a constant slow release of energy, as opposed to a sharp jump in energy like other foods. This is why athletes and especially runners, whose activites require a long constant source of energy, consume pasta 5 times weekly. Pasta has been appearing as an unhealthy food, yet a half a cup merely contains 100 calories and less than five milligrams of salt. Pasta gets its bad rep as an unhealthy meal when it is doused in fat enriched cream sauces such as alfredo and blanketed by a sheet of cheese.

When pasta is accompanied with a tomato or olive oil based sauce and a lean protein such as chicken or fish it can be a healthy meal that can provide a person with energy for a long day. Furthermore, pasta has a low Glycemic index. The Glycemic index ranks carbohydrates on how quickly they affect someone's blood sugar, the slower the healthier, as in pasta. Another benefit of pasta is its fortification of folic acid, an important B vitamin. A small 2 oz serving of pasta is equal to 25% of the daily-recommended intake for folic acid. Due to its nutritional benefits pasta is healthy and should be consumed about twice a week. There is nothing to fear from the food trusted by the Italians for centuries, just remember to skip the Parmesan.

Chainey, Ross. "In Defense of Pasta." Life and Style. 2008. MSN UK. 6/1/08.
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Pasta Nutrition." Health Living. 2007. National Pasta Association. 6/1/08.
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The Gardens at Pincio Hill

Beginning at Piazza dei Cinquecento, located in front of Rome’s central train station, turn left onto L. Einaudi and continue to walk until you reach Piazza della Repubblica. Proceed straight onto Via E. Orlando as it turns into Via L. Bissolati. There are two churches on either side of the road, Santa Susanna on the left, and the church of Santa Maria della Vittorio on the left. These churches indicate the start of Via L. Bissolati. Keep walking straight through Via Vitt. Veneto and turn left once you come to Viale dell’ Muro. The Pincio garden is located below Viale dell’Obelisca.

Pincio Hill can be found above the famous Spanish Steps. The gardens look down to Piazza del Popolo. Tourists normally tour the grounds when the sun is setting. The area is filled with planted palms, pines and evergreen oak trees that surrounding Egyptian-style obelisk. This peaceful place provides a relaxing and social setting for locals and tourists on a daily basis.

View from the Pincio Gardens

Making your way to the Trevi Fountain

From Piazza del Cinquecento, in front of the central train station in Rome, begin traveling to the Trevi Fountain by making a left onto Via L. Einaudi. Once you reach Piazza della Repubblica continue walking through Via E. Orlando. The Santa Maria della Vittorio church is on the corner of the street where you will turn left onto Via XX Settembre. Next, make a right when you see the road sign which reads Via d. Quattro Fontana. There will be another church on the left across the street if you are not able to locate a road sign. After coming to the Fontana del Tritone, make a left onto Via del Tritone. When you reach Palazzo Poli turn left onto Via Poli. If you see the church of Santa Maria in Via on Via del Tritone then you have missed Via Poli by walking to far. Immediately after turnig onto Via Poli you should see the large marble fountain.

Tourist are crowding the area around the fountain, snapping pictures of the elaborate statues which are standing above the clear, flowing water. The statues represent Neptune and two tritons on his sides. Local residents usually sit around the space while trying to relax and read their books. The fountain is surrounded by tiny shops filled with Italia merchandise shops and small cafés. The area is generally noisy during most times of the day. Shinning coins lay at the bottom of the water from those who have thrown the euros over their shoulder as they made a wish.

Touring the Appian Way

Catacombes: Hilary Hannan, Juliana Haviland, Nicole DiMeglio, Brooke Hersh, Mia Briceno.

Starting from Stazione Centrale Roma Termini Station, take the Archeobus. It is a bright green, open air bus, with a “hop on, hop off” system. It picks you up at the station, on the half hour, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and travels along the Appian Way, with 11 stops. The information we found and details about each stop can be found at Archeobus Route.

Tickets cost 13 Euro for adults and kids under 5 years old are free. They can be purchased online, on board, or at the Termini Station. We suggest that you purchase the tickets online, as there seems to be online discounts available.

Stop number 8 is Catacombe di San Callisto. We suggest you get off the bus and explore this catacomb. The hours are Thursday through Tuesday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. It opens again at 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays and in February. It takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete the tour. Tickets cost 6 Euro for adults, 3 Euro for children under 15 years old and students and free admission for children under 6 years old. The information we found and more can be found at Home Page of San Callisto. After you finish you can either continue walking down Appian Way to our next suggested stop, the Catacombe di San Sebastiano, or hop back on the Archeobus. It will be the next stop on the bus tour.

Stop number 9 will drop you at Catacombe di San Sebastiano. The hours of operation and ticket costs are the same as mentioned above.

The Catacombs of San Callisto span from four different levels which include the crypt of the popes and the crypt of Santa Cecilia. The rooms which are of great importance in the Catacomb contain stucco and frescoes and can be reached by traveling through small hallways of volcanic remains. Also along the Appian Way is the Catacomb of San Sebastiano which can be identified with dull frescoes and graffiti. Although the catacombs seem to be a major tourist site, there are also basilicas located above the Christian tombs.